Page 16 of Her Guarded Hero

Dalton’s lit up with amusement, while Aurora turned damn near purple.

Luckily her grandfather had no idea how she and Dalton had taken his words. Then Gunnar spoke up again. “Now wait a minute, you do realize that when you give him his riding lessons, you’re going to do it while you’re on the ground, now don’t you Missy?”

“I’m going to be fine,” she assured her grandfather. All I need is a long soak in the tub, and by morning I’ll be right as rain.”

“I don’t think so. I saw how you were walking when you thought I wasn’t looking. You were hunched over like Erwin is after a stint at the rodeo. You’re taking it easy for at least forty-eight hours.”

Aurora shook her head. “I can’t do that, there’s too much to do.”

“Dalton will take care of it,” Gunnar said as he pointed his index finger at the Navy SEAL.

“You can’t just tell the man he’s now a ranch hand.” Aurora felt like tearing her hair out.

“Sure, he can. I’m used to taking orders. Just tell me what to do. I figure mucking out stalls is part of my duties,” Dalton grinned.

“You’ve done enough already. Hell, you practically carried me up the side of a mountain, for Pete’s sake.” These two men were driving her up a wall. She gave them a weary grin and noticed that Dalton was staring. Dammit, she knew he was looking at her dimple.

“Young Man, I can’t thank you enough for all that you did for my Aurora. It was a miracle that you were there for her this morning.”

Dalton smiled at her grandfather. “I was glad I was there. Now let me go get checked out of the lodge, and I’ll come back here. How does that sound?”

“There’s really no need,” Aurora said again. Both men turned to her with the exact pitying look. She was so outvoted.

“Don’t listen to Aurora, you’re staying. There’s cable, and I cook a mean meal. You’ll love it here.”

She looked over at Dalton. “I really hate the idea of you ruining your time off just to babysit me,” she sighed.

He turned in his chair, so he was looking straight at her. “You’re right, I was looking forward to my time hiking around the lake.”

“I knew it!”

“But,” he continued. “I think spending time on a horse around this ranch will be just as soothing. What’s more, I would lose my Eagle Scout badge if I didn’t stick around and keep an eye on you,” he grinned.

“I’m serious,” she said.

His blue eyes darkened. “Okay, if you want serious, here’s serious. There’s not a chance in fucking hell that I’m not going to be on your ass until we find out who in the hell has targeted you. I am going to take them down.”

“What you said doesn’t make any sense.” It was like he was speaking a foreign language.

“Honey, it’s the boy scout creed.” Her grandfather patted her hand. He turned to Dalton. “Let me get you a key to the house.”

* * *

Dalton took the key from Gunnar. He had to admit, he really liked the man. They thought alike. Then he looked over at Aurora. Now they weren’t always on the same page, but he had to admit, he really liked her too…a lot. He pushed up from his chair. “I better get over to Pinecrest Lodge. What time should I come back in the morning?”

“Are you really sure you want to do this?”

“He’s sure,” Gunnar answered.

“What he said,” Dalton grinned.

“This next week is going to be hell, isn’t it?” she sighed and grinned. He got another glimpse of her dimple.

“Not if you just do as your told,” Gunnar said.

“Yeah sure, that’ll be happening.”

“It wouldn’t be any fun if you did,” Dalton said.